The Surprising 9 Jobs With the Highest Germ Exposure -- and What You Can do About Itby www.SixWise.com

When it comes to germs in the workplace, certain workers
may be exposed to 20 times more bacteria at their jobs than
others ... and some of the germiest jobs may surprise you.

The findings come as part of a series of studies called "Germs
in the Workplace," led by the University of Arizona's
Dr. Charles Gerba. He and colleagues visited offices and swabbed
a total of 616 surfaces, including desks, phones and computers.

Workers were asked not to do any pre-cleaning before the
researchers took their samples. "In fact, they were asked
not to alter their regular workday routines, from eating at
their desks to cleaning," the report stated.

The Nine Germiest Jobs

Leading the list of germy jobs were, not surprisingly, teachers.
The average bacteria per square inch of their workplace surfaces
were 17,800, versus 900 for a job at the lower end of the
list, lawyers.

Making up the top nine on the list, from most to least germs,
were:

Teacher

Accountant

Banker

Radio DJ

Doctor

Television producer

Consultant

Publicist

Lawyer

The Four Germiest Surfaces

Overall, the researchers found that offices have fewer bacteria
than in the past. "We were pleased to find a decrease
in bacteria levels," Gerba said. "Perhaps people
are becoming more aware of germs in their office and doing
something about it."

Still, bacteria were present and in large numbers. "Surfaces
regularly used by teachers, accountants, and bankers harbored
nearly two to 20 times more bacteria per square inch when
compared to other professions," the report stated.

Overall, phones, followed by desks, had more germs
than any other office surfaces.

Where is all this bacteria hiding? In plain site, it turns
out. The researchers found that the following four surfaces
had the most bacteria (in this order):

Phones

Desks

Computer keyboard

Computer mouse

The reasons for germy phones and computer apparatuses are
obvious -- dirt from your hands, and mouth, can easily get
transferred onto these often-used items. Desks, too, can harbor
dirt from your hands, but what is often not considered is
a desk's other uses.

A survey by the American Dietician Association found that
while 57 percent of workers snack at their desks once a day
or more, 20 percent never clean them.

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"Desks are really bacteria cafeterias," said Dr.
Gerba. "They're breakfast buffets, lunch tables and snack
bars, as we spend more and more hours at the office. Germ
levels on desks could be considered a business liability."

Another study by Gerba found that your desk may hold 400
times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.

"We don't think twice about eating at our desks, even
though the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a
kitchen table and 400 times more bacteria than the average
toilet," says Gerba. "Without cleaning, a small
area on your desk or phone can sustain millions of bacteria
that could potentially cause illness."

How to Keep Your Office Space Clean

According to Dr. Gerba, frequent hand
washing and cleaning your office space with one disinfecting
wipe a day can help kill harmful germs (the study was funded
by the Clorox Company, which makes disinfecting wipes).

However, at Sixwise.com we recommend you keep your office
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